Hanover, NH · Private University
Is Dartmouth College Worth It?
ROI analysis based on real earnings and cost data
Key Numbers
10-Year Earnings
$97,434
median, 10 years after enrollment
In-State Tuition
$65,739
per year
Out-of-State Tuition
$65,739
per year
Total 4-Year Cost
$262,956
tuition only (4 years)
ROI Ratio
1.48x
earnings ÷ annual tuition
Payback Period
4.2 yrs
years to recoup total cost
Graduation Rate
96.0%
6-year graduation rate
Median Debt
$17,500
at graduation
Avg Net Price
$28,619
after aid & scholarships
Earnings vs. Annual Cost
10-year median earnings compared to annual tuition
Dartmouth College graduates earn $52,434 more than the national median of workers with any education level.
What You'd Actually Pay
Average net price after grants and scholarships, by family income
Source: IPEDS net price data. Actual costs vary based on individual financial circumstances.
Highest-Earning Majors
Top programs at Dartmouth College ranked by graduate earnings
73 graduates
32 graduates
123 graduates
33 graduates
29 graduates
Earnings shown are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 1-year medians.
ROI by Major at Dartmouth College
All available majors ranked by graduate earnings — your major matters as much as your school.
Your major matters more than your school
At Dartmouth College, the gap between the highest-earning major (Computer Science: $157,053) and the lowest (Fine and Studio Arts: $30,246) is $126,807/yr — bigger than the difference between many schools.
| Major | Earnings | ROI |
|---|---|---|
| Computer ScienceBest ROI | $157,053 | 2.4x |
| Mathematics | $124,017 | 1.9x |
| Economics | $118,120 | 1.8x |
| Mathematics and Statistics, Other(1yr data) | $102,938 | 1.6x |
| Engineering Science | $90,843 | 1.4x |
| Political Science and Government | $84,898 | 1.3x |
| History | $82,121 | 1.3x |
| Biology, General | $75,571 | 1.1x |
| Neurobiology and Neurosciences | $71,866 | 1.1x |
| Sociology | $71,802 | 1.1x |
| Area Studies | $71,072 | 1.1x |
| Geography and Cartography(1yr data) | $56,756 | 0.9x |
| English Language and Literature, General | $55,730 | 0.8x |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research(1yr data) | $47,671 | 0.7x |
| Research and Experimental Psychology(1yr data) | $42,947 | 0.7x |
| Anthropology(1yr data) | $40,071 | 0.6x |
| Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies(1yr data) | $31,967 | 0.5x |
| Fine and Studio ArtsLowest(1yr data) | $30,246 | 0.5x |
Earnings are 4-year post-graduation medians where available, otherwise 5-year or 1-year. ROI = earnings ÷ annual tuition.
How It Compares
ROI at similar schools
| School | ROI Ratio | Earnings | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dartmouth College | 1.48x | $97,434 | Average ROI |
| Brown University | 1.37x | $93,487 | Average ROI |
| Yale University | 1.55x | $100,533 | Good ROI |
| Williams College | 1.37x | $88,665 | Average ROI |
| Colgate University | 1.27x | $85,139 | Average ROI |
| Harvard University | 1.72x | $101,817 | Good ROI |
The Bottom Line
Dartmouth College delivers returns in line with the national college average. Graduates earn $97,434 10 years after starting — $52,434 above the national median of $45,000. The investment pays for itself in roughly 4.2 years — faster than most colleges.
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Earnings data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Tuition data from IPEDS. ROI calculations are for informational purposes only and reflect median outcomes.